The official MLA Style Center website has a helpful guide for formatting your paper. You should also consult your assignment or check with your instructor to see if there are any specific formatting guidelines you need to follow.
MLA Style (9th ed.) has the following guidelines for formatting a paper:
- The font should be easily readable, such as Times New Roman, and the size should be between 11 and 13 points
- The text of the paper should be left-aligned
- Double-space the entire paper, including quotations, notes, and the list of works cited
- Indent the first line of a paragraph (0.5 inches from the left margin)
- Leave one space after a period (or other concluding punctuation mark)
MLA Style (9th ed.) has the following guidelines for formatting the first page of a paper:
- In the top-right header of each page, include the page number and your last name.
- At the top of the first page and left-aligned, include the following information on separate double-spaced lines:
- Your name
- Your instructor's name
- The course name and number
- The date
- On the following line and centre-aligned, write the title of your paper. Do not italicize or underline your title.
- On the following line and left-aligned, start your first paragraph. Remember to indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
The official MLA Handbook has a sample first page with an example and more information.
